MLB Rumors

Given how well Mets starter Matt Harvey's season (and career) has gone so far, expectations are pretty high. So, while four runs in 6 1/3 innings might not be terrible for most pitchers, Harvey left the mound disappointed Wednesday.

"It was one of those days. I didn't execute, he told ESPN.com. "I didn't do a good job. I've got to be a lot better than that. Nine hits is unacceptable for me. Obviously I wasn't happy giving up any runs. Today we needed a big win, and I wasn't able to do that." 

Harvey's first mistake was falling behind to Reds' slugger Joey Votto in the third inning. Votto homered on a 3-0 pitch to give the Reds their first lead. Despite the mistake, Harvey did not apologize for challenging the National League's leader in batting average and OPS.

"I'm not going to give in to anybody, regardless," Harvey said. "That's not really who I am. I'm not afraid to throw to anybody. I just didn't make my pitch. I need to be better."

Harvey struck out six batters and walked three in the outing, while his ERA rose to 1.93, dropping him to fifth in the National League.

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (wrist) took six at-bats during a simulated game Wednesday, the Journal News reports. It is hard to tell whether or not Teixeira is ready for a real game just yet. 

"I can't tell you," manager Joe Girardi said. "I think you have to give him a few days in a row before you evaluate to make sure that his back is healed and it doesn’t come back. The last two days have been pretty good, so he’s getting closer."

Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain threw 13 pitches during an extended spring training inning Wednesday, the Journal News reports. 

"Felt good," manager Joe Girardi said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow." 

Chamberlain will make at least two rehab outings and won't come off the DL until at least next week. 

Yankees starter Andy Pettitte will play catch either Thursday or Friday, the Journal News reports Wednesday. Manager Joe Girardi is unsure whether Pettitte will be able to return when first eligible. 

"We have it mapped or semi-mapped out," Girardi said. "I don’t know if it will be the first day, but it will be shortly after that."

Pettitte will complete long toss following playing catch. That will be followed by a bullpen session and then a simulated game. Pettitte will do his work with the Yankees and not at the minor-league complex. 

The Yankees appear to be in no rush to activate Ivan Nova, the Journal News reports Wednesday. Nova threw a light side session in Tampa Wednesday and reported feeling good. 

"We’re able to be patient because we want to make sure he’s healthy when he comes back," manager Joe Girardi said. "Then you get in the problem of, he pitches a game and then you’ve got to put him back on the DL. We don’t want to do that."

Cardinals third baseman David Freese was out of the lineup for the third game in a row Wednesday against the Padres as he continues to deal with inflammation from a cut on his right thumb.

Freese, who is day-to-day, was spiked in Sunday's game. 

Reds reliever Sean Marshall is sidelined, due to inflammation in his left shoulder, a similar issue to the one that forced him to the disabled list earlier in the season.

"A little bit," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer . "I'm getting a little better understanding of when it feels good and when it needs a little more rest. Today, when I was warming up as normally do to get my shoulder loose, I felt little bit of crankiness. I threw some balls and felt a little bit of crankiness."

Marshall does not seem to think this will also require a trip to the DL, but they are being extra careful with him.

"We're erring on the side of caution," Marshall said. "I told them I was little sore. We have some very capable arms come out of the bullpen a time or two season so far. I needed this extra day of rest. I'll be back to the way I’ve been feeling."

Dodgers infieler Nick Punto knocked a pair of singles Wednesday against Milwaukee.

Punto finished 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. He's been excellent for the Dodgers in a utility role, as he owns a .330/.418/.404 line in 36 games.

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun hit his ninth home run in Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers.

The home run, a solo shot, was Braun's only hit in three at-bats to go with a walk. He's hitting a robust .323/.410/.574 and appears to be in the form that won him an MVP in 2011 and earned him runner-up honors last year.

Tigers catcher Alex Avila was not in the starting lineup Wednesday against Cleveland right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Avila won't be starting Thursday against Minnesota lefty Scott Diamond, either, the Detroit News reports. 

That said, Tigers skipper Jim Leyland backed the slumping Avila as the team's everyday catcher. They are not yet ready to annoint Brayan Pena into that role. 

"I don't want to indicate that Alex isn't our catcher," said Leyland. "He is our catcher."

Avila hasn't hit higher than .227 all season and his average hasn't been above .200 since April 11 except for one day. He's hitting just .155 since April 11 with two homers and eight RBI over 84 at-bats. Avila is hitting .053 against lefties but just .198 against righties. 

"I did this with Pudge (Rodriguez) toward the end," said Leyland. "I played him, then sat him out, played him, then sat him out. He didn't particularly like it, but it actually worked pretty good. I'm not saying I'm trying that with Alex, but I have to do something. We'll get through it together, but right now you have to go with your gut. There's no magic formula. I've talked to him, but if one nice conversation could solve all the problems, it would have been solved a while back. But I don't have the answer. The kid is struggling — and as the manager, you feel sorry for him. Trust me."